By James Fielden

After the shock League Cup final defeat to Birmingham on Sunday, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has reminded his team of the importance of winning trophies.

It's been six years since the Gunners picked up silverware - the FA Cup - and the Emirates chief is keen for his club to restore some pride.

“I think Arsène has said that winning trophies is compulsory at Arsenal. It is always compulsory. It doesn’t mean you can guarantee it but it does mean you give everything to do that in a manner that makes our fans proud,” Gazidis told The Telegraph.

“We judge ourselves on the pride we create for our fanbase. That pride is created through all kinds of different things.

“One of them clearly is trophies. That is critical for a club of Arsenal’s size but there are other things that drive pride, including the style of football we play and the values that we represent.”﻿

A late goal from Obefemi Martins gifted the cup to the Midlands club at the weekend but Gazidis concedes that given Arsenal’s young squad, they are doing well to get in the positions they are.

“It is difficult to have a sense of perspective after a loss like that but, when thinking about the direction we are headed, that is really necessary," he added.

“We have got the youngest squad in the Premier League that is currently competing to win the Premier League.

“We have beaten Barcelona at home in the Champions League, we have a continued interest in the FA Cup and have reached the final of the Carling Cup.

“It is sometimes tempting to paint a picture on one result. In the bigger picture, we are clearly moving forward.

“We have got a very good group of young players who are improving all the time and, as we look forward over the next four or five years, I think we can do so with great confidence.”